Quinn Vittorio Wilde was born on March 28, 2008. Nine weeks later, his father discovered Quinn not breathing and unresponsive. Quinn was put on life support although he continued to breathe on his own. Tests confirmed that he had sustained severe brain damage from the lack of oxygen. The neurologist theorized that Quinn had a seizure disorder which had possibly caused him to stop breathing. Quinn's parents, Patrick and Denien, made the heartbreaking decision to take Quinn off life support and let nature take its course. Quinn passed away on June 7, 2008. His donated heart valves helped to save the lives of two infant girls. On New Year's Day 2013, Denien Vittorio Wilde will ride the Donate Life float in Quinn's honor.

Quinn's Story

Quinn Vittorio Wilde was born on March 28, 2008. Late one night nine weeks later, Quinn's father Patrick discovered Quinn not breathing and unresponsive. Police arrived in minutes and Quinn was revived at the hospital, then life-flighted to another hospital 50 miles away.

Although he continued to breathe on his own, Quinn was palced on life support. Tests confirmed that he had sustained severe brain damage from the lack of oxygen and only his brain stem was functioning. After a discussion with the pediatric neurologist, Quinn's family learned that the subtle things they had started noticing only a week before were signs of seizures: increased difficulty eating, glazed, unfocused eyes and increased grunting while he slept. Quinn's well checks at the doctor's office had been fine.

The neurologist theorized that Quinn had a seizure disorder and that possibly a seizure had caused him to stop breathing. Patrick and his wife Denien had to decide what was best for Quinn, as he was not going to recover from the brain damage. They made the heartbreaking decision to take Quinn off life support and let nature take its course. Quinn was transferred to a hospice facility where his family spent 10 days with him, holding him, talking to him and singing to him.

Quinn passed away on June 7, 2008. Patrick and Denien decided to donate his heart valves which helped to save the lives of a five-month-old infant girl and a two-month-old infant girl. "He accomplished so much in the nine weeks he was on this earth," said Denien. "He touched many, many lives and became a hero to two infants and their families. Quinn gave those families and perhaps all of us the gift of hope."

On New Year's Day 2013, Denien Vittorio Wilde will ride the Donate Life float in Quinn's honor.